With a new administration in place, priorities for the Small Business Administration (SBA) are shifting to better support small business owners, including car dealers. On the latest episode of Inside Automotive, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler joins us to discuss the changing landscape for small businesses, recent legislative wins, and the path forward under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Loeffler, who brings firsthand experience as an entrepreneur and former U.S. senator from Georgia, emphasized that small businesses represent 99% of all U.S. companies and form the backbone of the economy. She also notes the critical role these businesses play in job creation and community development.
“[Small businesses] are the backbone of the country.”
The SBA, originally created to assist World War II veterans with business startup capital, now supports small businesses through access to capital, counseling, government contracting, and disaster relief. Loeffler pointed to the agency’s long-standing disaster recovery efforts, including homeowner loans of up to $500,000 following events such as the Texas floods, highlighting the SBA’s ongoing commitment beyond pandemic-era programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Loeffler detailed the key provisions of recent legislation, “The Big Beautiful Bill,” which she describes as a “working family Main Street bill.” It includes:
- Permanent 20% pass-through deduction (Section 199A), and doubles the child tax credit
- 100% expensing for capital purchases to spur equipment and factory investment
- No federal tax on tips and overtime, incentivizing workforce growth
- An average $10,000 increase in take-home pay annually for working families
Visiting 23 states so far, Loeffler noted that business owners, including manufacturers and restaurateurs, are already leveraging these benefits, upgrading ovens or expanding factory floors with new CNC machines.
Trade policy and tariffs also played a prominent role in the discussion. Loeffler defended tariffs as essential to restoring domestic manufacturing and leveling the global playing field for small exporters. She highlighted the SBA’s onshoring portal, listing over one million American suppliers, enabling businesses, including auto dealers and suppliers, to source domestically even niche products like green tea.
Addressing future challenges, Loeffler emphasized deregulation as a priority, noting that nearly $2 trillion in regulations have accumulated in recent years, disproportionately affecting small businesses and manufacturers on Main Street. She also expresses optimism that with tax cuts, controlled inflation, and trade reforms in place, reducing regulatory burdens could unleash significant economic growth.
For car dealers who often operate as small businesses and play a vital role in their local economies, Loeffler’s message was clear: now is an excellent time to start or grow a business. She emphasized that SBA programs, such as the 7(a) and 504 loans, which currently support over 100 factory loans weekly, are designed to help manufacturers and dealers expand operations, purchase equipment, and invest in their communities.
Loeffler concluded by highlighting President Trump’s pro-business stance, saying, “He understands that economic strength starts on Main Street.” For auto dealers and other small business owners, that commitment translates into policies aimed at fostering growth, supporting skilled workforces, and rebuilding America’s manufacturing foundation.
